Help! Why Is Sports Betting a Big Deal?

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Sports betting has exploded across all demographics in recent years—including young people. But gambling isn’t just fun and harmless. It can quickly spiral into addiction and lead to issues like anxiety, depression, debt, and substance abuse. If you’re tempted to bet on sports, this mini-book provides you with the biblical tools to resist. For those already involved who feel they can’t quit, it offers the hope of freedom and victory that can be found in Christ.

Advertisements, appeals from friends, and TikTok reels act like a lure—tempting your desire for wealth or fame or just the thrill of wining, while hiding the real cost of taking the bait. Hidden behind the glamourous lure lies a deadly reality: sin always hurts.

Resources

A Plan for Killing Sin

Make a specific plan for killing sin, following the steps outlined in Romans 6: know, consider, yield.

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Renewing Guide: Sin in Me

We suffer as the result of our own sin. This resource provides a renewing guide for thinking biblically about God, your circumstances, and yourself in order to help you respond to sin and its consequences in a God-honoring way.

Download

Help! Why Is Sports Betting a Big Deal Journal

Record impacting statements and write out your answers to the Questions for Reflection at the end of each chapter.

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My Tree (Sports Betting)

Use this simple discipleship tool to get to the heart of your struggle with sports betting.

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A Renewed Mind About Sports Betting

This resource guides you through practicing the Ephesians 4 "Put Off, Renew, Put On" process with the way we think about betting on sports.

ESV KJV

A Way of Escape (Sports Betting)

God promises that He always provides a way to escape temptation to sin. Use this tool to help you find specific actions steps to take when you are tempted toward betting on sports.

ESV KJV

Owner vs. Steward

This study is designed to help you view life through the biblical lens of being God's steward, wisely using your resources to serve Him, rather than thinking of yourself as the owner and sole authority of your possessions.

ESV KJV

Get the book!

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Teens struggle with constantly changing moods, overpowering emotional extremes, identity uncertainty, friendship conflicts, and paralyzing doubts about how God is relevant to their struggles.... These booklets will show not only the sufficiency of the Bible, but also its relevancy for the problems youth face today.

— Dr. John Street

The “LifeLine Mini-book for Teens Series” meets critical needs for today’s young people. The biblical approach, structured presentation, and personal application projects make these mini-books ideal for parents and other counselors of teens. Thank you Shepherds Press and The Wilds for beginning to fill a crucial void in biblical counseling tools.

— Dr. Jim Berg

About the Author

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Jim Newheiser

For over forty years, Jim Newheiser has faithfully served the church through pastoral ministry, biblical counseling, teaching, and writing. He also serves as an ACBC Fellow and board member, Director of the Christian Counseling Program at Reformed Theological Seminary, and the Executive Director of IBCD. He and his wife, Caroline, live in Charlotte, North Carolina.

Info

Publication date:

June 1, 2026

Pages: 48

ISBN: 978-1-63342-408-1

Available Books

Help! I Want to Be a Godly Friend

Help! Do I Need the Local Church?

Help! I’m Bitter

Help! Why Is Sports Betting a Big Deal?

Help! I’m Losing My Faith in God

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“Unlike the many counseling resources we can find for adults, there are few directly relatable to teens and the issues they face. These mini-books bring the Scriptures to bear in a relevant way for both teens and those ministering to them.”
– Dr. Stuart Scott